The process for opening new colleges and institutions and introducing new academic programmes in existing institutions will follow a fixed schedule for the 2027-28 academic session.
The Higher Education Department has issued instructions to registrars of state universities, setting deadlines for everything from online applications and land verification to inspections, affiliation and appeals. The schedule is aimed at making the approval process more time-bound and structured.
The new process will apply to new courses and subjects, except B.Ed programmes, in existing institutions as well as proposals for setting up new colleges and institutions.
Online Applications by October 31
Universities will have to accept online proposals for obtaining the required no-objection approval by October 31.
After applications are submitted, land-related documents will be verified by the Revenue Department. This verification must be completed by January 5, 2027.
The documents to be checked during land verification will include khatauni records, jointness certificates and site maps (najri naksha).
District Officials Get Fixed Deadlines
Once a proposal is received, the university will send it to the concerned District Magistrate within seven days.
The District Magistrate will then be required to submit the report online within a maximum period of one month. No-objection orders for eligible proposals are scheduled to be issued by January 20, 2027.
Institutions dissatisfied with the university’s decision will be able to file an appeal with the state government by January 30, with such appeals scheduled to be decided by February 20.
Inspection to Be Completed by April 5
An inspection committee will be constituted by March 5, 2027. The committee will include subject experts and a member secretary.
The inspection report must be submitted by April 5. The portal will display two possible dates for the inspection, allowing the concerned institution to prepare accordingly.
After the inspection process, affiliation is scheduled to be granted by April 20.
Final Appeal Deadline Is May 20
Institutions can appeal against an affiliation decision by April 30. The government has set May 20, 2027, as the deadline for disposal of these appeals.
The department has also kept provisions for further verification. If required, an inspection report can be re-examined at the government level.
Key Deadlines at a Glance
| Process | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Online application | October 31, 2026 |
| Land record verification | January 5, 2027 |
| No-objection order | January 20, 2027 |
| Appeal against university decision | January 30, 2027 |
| Disposal of appeal | February 20, 2027 |
| Inspection committee formation | March 5, 2027 |
| Inspection report | April 5, 2027 |
| Affiliation | April 20, 2027 |
| Appeal against affiliation | April 30, 2027 |
| Final appeal disposal | May 20, 2027 |
The fixed calendar is expected to give universities and institutions a clear roadmap for completing the approval process before the 2027-28 academic session begins.
